Package containing a first compartment for storing unused disposable cleaning products and a second compartment for storing used disposable cleaning products

ABSTRACT

An exemplary package including a first compartment for storing unused, disposable cleaning products (e.g., tissue papers, paper towels, napkins or moist wipes), a second compartment for receiving and storing the disposable cleaning products after they have been used, and an internal structure that separates the first compartment from the second compartment. As an example, a user retrieves unused tissue papers from the first compartment, uses the tissue papers, and then disposes the used tissue papers into the second compartment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/583,892, filed on Jun. 30, 2004, which isincorporated herein by reference. This application is also related tonon-provisional application entitled, “Package Containing a FirstHousing for Storing Unused Disposable Cleaning Products and a SecondHousing for Storing Used Disposable Cleaning Products,” filedconcurrently with this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to packages, and in particular, to apackage containing a first compartment for storing unused, disposablecleaning products and a second compartment for storing used, disposablecleaning products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable cleaning products, such as tissue papers, papers towels,napkins, moist wipes, etc., are usually stored in some type of package.For example, unused tissue papers are typically stored in a cardboardbox containing a perforated cover. A user typically tears open theperforated cover to access the unused tissue papers. After using thetissue paper, a user may dispose the tissue paper in a waste basket.

In many situations, there may not be a waste basket or other containeravailable in which to dispose the used tissue paper or other disposablecleaning product. In such situation, a user may place the used tissuepaper in an undesirable location, such as on top of a table, on a chair,on the floor, or in one's pocket. Such undesirable disposal of the usedtissue paper may lead to non-environmentally friendly disposal and mayalso lead to unsanitary conditions, which may result in illness inpeople who come in contact, directly or indirectly, with the used tissuepaper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the invention relates to exemplary package for storing bothunused, disposable cleaning products (e.g., tissue paper, paper towels,napkins, moist wipes, etc.) and used, disposable cleaning products. Theexemplary package comprises a first compartment for storing unused,disposable cleaning products, a second compartment for receiving andstoring used, disposable cleaning products, and an internal structure toseparate the first compartment from the second compartment. A userretrieves unused, disposable cleaning products from the firstcompartment, uses the disposable cleaning products, and then disposesthe used, disposable cleaning products into the second compartment.

Other aspects, features, and techniques of the invention will beapparent to one skilled in the relevant art in view of the followingdetailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary package inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Figure illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary package 100 inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. In summary, theexemplary package 100 includes a first compartment for storing unusedtissue papers, a second compartment for receiving and storing usedtissue papers, and an internal structure to separate the firstcompartment from the second compartment. A user retrieves unused tissuepapers from the first compartment, uses the tissue papers, and thendisposes the used tissue papers into the second compartment.

More specifically, the exemplary package 100 comprises a housing 102including a first internal compartment 104 for storing unused tissuepapers 150, and a second internal compartment 106 for storing usedtissue papers 160. An internal structure 108 separates the firstinternal compartment 104 from the second internal compartment 106. Theunused tissue papers 150 may be scented or unscented, and includeanti-bacterial, moisturized and printed items.

In the exemplary embodiment, the housing 102 is configured into a box.The top side 110 of the housing 102 includes an opening 112 throughwhich a user can remove the unused tissue papers 150 from the firstinternal compartment 104. The housing 102 may further include aperforated cover (not shown) initially attached to the top side 110 ofthe housing 102 in a manner that substantially cover the opening 112.Before anyone uses the tissue papers 150, a user needs to detach thecover from the housing 102 in order to access the unused tissue papers150. The cover may be made out of a cardboard and attached to the topside 110 of the housing 102 by a perforated line. Alternatively, thecover may be made out of a transparent plastic. The plurality of unusedtissue papers 150 may be arranged in a vertically or horizontallystacked, folded, rolled or any other configuration within the firstcompartment 104.

Also, in the exemplary embodiment, the bottom side 114 of the housing102 includes another opening 116 through which a user can insert usedtissue papers 160 into the second compartment 106. The opening 116 maybe circular in shape. The housing 102 may include a plurality ofpie-shaped sub-covers 118, arranged together in a circular-fashion andtheir respective vertices coincident with each other, to substantiallycover the opening 116. Adjacent sub-covers 118 are initially attached toeach other by way of respective perforated lines.

With such configuration, when a user finishes using the first tissuepaper, a user pushes the used tissue paper 160 through the plurality ofsub-covers 118. The pushing force causes the sub-covers 118 to detachfrom each other and bend inward into the second compartment 106, therebyallowing the user to insert the used tissue 160 into the secondcompartment 106. After the user inserts the used tissue paper 160 intothe second compartment 106, the plurality of sub-covers 118 may haveresilient characteristics causing them to bend back toward the opening116 to at least further occlude the opening 116, thereby preventing theused tissue paper 160 from falling out of the second compartment 106. Aplastic bag may be included within the second compartment 106 to receivethe used tissue papers 160, and better protect againstcross-contamination between the used and unused tissue papers 150 and160. The interior of the second compartment 106, internal structure 108,and/or the bag may be coated with an anti-microbial substance forimproved germicidal protection.

Additionally, in the exemplary embodiment, the internal structure 108includes a transverse wall 108 a that separates the first compartment104 from the second compartment 106. The internal structure 108 furtherincludes a plurality of side walls 108 b extending downward from thetransverse wall 108 a, and parallel to and adjacent with the respectiveinternal sides of the housing 102. The internal structure 108 isupwardly movable within the housing 102. The side walls 108 b of theinternal structure 108 being adjacent to the respective internal sidesof the housing 102 assist in guiding the upward movement of the internalstructure 108. As a user removes unused tissue paper 150 from the firstcompartment 104 and places the corresponding used tissue paper 160 intothe second compartment 106, the internal structure 108 moves upwardly tofill the space of the removed tissue paper 150 within the firstcompartment 104 and allows more space for the corresponding used tissuepaper 160 placed into the second compartment 106.

Although tissue papers are used to exemplify the various embodiments ofthe invention, it shall be understood that the package disclosed hereinmay store other disposable cleaning products, such as paper towels,napkins, and moist wipes.

While the invention has been described in connection with an exemplaryembodiment, it will be understood that the invention is capable offurther modifications. This application is intended to cover anyvariations, uses or adaptation of the invention following, in general,the principles of the invention, and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within the known and customary practicewithin the art to which the invention pertains.

1. A package comprising a housing including a first internal compartmentfor storing unused, disposable cleaning products, and a second internalcompartment for storing used, disposable cleaning products.
 2. Thepackage of claim 1, wherein said housing includes an opening throughwhich said unused disposable cleaning products are to be removed fromsaid first internal compartment.
 3. The package of claim 2, furthercomprising said unused disposable cleaning products situated within saidfirst internal compartment.
 4. The package of claim 3, wherein saidunused disposable cleaning products are in a stacked, folded, or rolledarrangement within said first internal compartment.
 5. The package ofclaim 4, further comprising a cover attached to said housing in a mannerthat substantially covers said opening.
 6. The package of claim 1,further comprising an internal structure separating said first internalcompartment from said second internal compartment.
 7. The package ofclaim 6, wherein said internal structure is movable within said housingin a direction where a volume of said first internal compartmentdecreases and a volume of said second internal compartment increases. 8.The package of claim 7, wherein said first internal compartment islocated in an upper portion of said housing, wherein said secondinternal compartment is located in a lower portion of said housing, andwherein said internal structure is located below said first internalcompartment and above said second internal compartment.
 9. The packageof claim 8, wherein said internal structure includes at least one walladapted to slide against an internal wall of said housing.
 10. Thepackage of claim 1, wherein said housing includes an opening throughwhich said used, disposable cleaning products are to be inserted intosaid second internal compartment.
 11. The package of claim 10, furthercomprising a cover to at least partially occlude said opening.
 12. Thepackage of claim 11, wherein said cover comprises a plurality ofpie-shaped sub-covers with vertices substantially coincident, whereinadjacent sub-covers are initially attached to each other by way ofrespective perforated lines.
 13. The package of claim 1, furthercomprising a bag situated within said second internal compartment. 14.The package of claim 13, wherein said bag includes an anti-microbialsubstance.
 15. The package of claim 1, wherein said unused, disposablecleaning products comprises any one of the following: tissue paper;paper towels; napkins; or moist wipes.
 16. A method, comprising:removing an unused, disposable cleaning product from a first internalcompartment of a housing; using said disposable cleaning product; andinserting said used disposable cleaning product into a secondcompartment of said housing.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein saiddisposable cleaning product comprises any one of the following: a tissuepaper; a paper towel; a napkin; or a moist wipe.